A story about my old dog Honey

Last night my old dog Honey came to visit me in my dreams.

I have no idea why she popped into my mind seemingly out of the blue. I hadn't been thinking of her. 

In my dream she came to see me where I am living now and we went out for a walk and I showed her around my neighbourhood.

It was so good to see her, even in my dream, and she was still as fun and energetic as I remember her, but she tire quicker and had to sit down and rest between spurts of energy.

Honey and I first met around 12 years ago when I was living in another part of Birmingham. I had a large house and already 4 cats. They were the result of doing voluntary work at the cattery at the RSPCA! 

I can't remember my exact thought process around deciding to get a dog. It wasn't long after I told the boyfriend I was living with to move out. With him gone, I had the place to myself. I could do what I wanted. I didn't have to consult or consider, it would be fun and I might even do more exercise with a dog to run after! I guess it went something like that. 

I had never owned a dog before, and I don't remember doing much research about owning one, but that didn't stop me and off I went to the city's dog home. 

I found a little male cross breed dog I liked. He was quite unremarkable looking really. A sandy colour with little legs that reminded me of sticks and made me laugh. He loved being picked up and I was all set to get him when the member of staff that was showing me around said 'oh, I've thought of another you might like! Come and meet her and then you can decide'. 

We went into a big hallway and out ran this springer spaniel and headed straight for the food area! She paid absolutely no heed to me, and had to be brought over to me and even then you could tell she was just thinking 'food!!'. The lady gave her some lunch and that seemed to satisfy the dog. I umm'd and aaah'd over which dog - how hard to chose!! 

Less than an hour later I had a springer spaniel. I bought a collar and lead, signed some paper work and paid £70. I named her Honey, and she happily led me out the front door of the dogs home. I then led her to the bus for the journey home. I called my mum, 'Guess what I've got?!'. 'Not another cat?!'. 'No, A DOG!!!'. 'Oh Karen!'. 

When Honey entered the house, the cats scattered every which way! They weren't expecting this intruder. And I wasn't prepared at all. I had no dog food, or dog bowls. What do dogs need? Hmm, now how do I co-ordinate going to the shops with the dog? Do I leave the dog at home? Do I take her with me? Do I tie her up outside the shop? How do I carry shopping AND hold the leash? Somehow I figured it all out and by dinner time Honey had a dog bowl and some food. 

Honey settled into her new home no problem. Eventually the cats re-emerged and even became friends with Honey and cuddled up to her to sleep. I got into a routine of walking her every morning and as soon as I got home from work. Luckily I there were some fields nearby and some huge ponds too. 

I didn't know much about Honey's background. She came from a dogs home in Wales before she arrived at the Birmingham Dogs Home, and I was told she was around 4 years old. She wasn't too keen on men unless they were friends of mine, which makes me wonder if she had a bad experience in her former life. 

Honey was a delight. She was naughty, had boundless energy, was a smart cookie and a quick learner except when it came to walking nicely on the lead. She dragged me everywhere. I tried and tried with her. I looked up every training method going to see if I could get her to walk nicely beside me. I remember one method said that as soon as you step outside the front door and the dog pulls on the lead, you turn around and head back into the house and that's the end of the walk. The poor thing didn't get a walk for about four days and I couldn't keep it up any longer and gave in and took her back to the big fields where I could let her off the lead and she could go mad running about. 

I could never, ever tire her out. If she was outside, she could keep going and going for hours! I would tire before she did. She loved the water. Give her a pond, river or lake and she would throw herself into it. One Christmas day there was snow on the ground we went for our morning walk. The big pond was frozen over. Did that stop Honey? She dived straight in and through the ice! I panicked. I lay on the snow covered ground by the side of the pond, grabbed her collar and somehow managed to pull her out. I took her straight back home and by the time we arrived a few minutes later she was like a snow ball; her wet fur attracting big clumps of snow. She was a right as rain. Nothing seemed to bother her. 

And so we continued for a few years, but as time went on I got unhappy with work and where I was living. It felt like I was existing, and getting by, but I wanted MORE than that for myself! I had to do something radical and overhaul my life. Big changes had to be made and one of those was to move home. I had my heart set on Moseley, but I knew I couldn't afford a big house with gardens like I had and knew it would have to be a flat. I handed in my notice at work, went travelling for a while and prepared to move house. 

But of course, what about the pets?! Four cats and a dog! It was a no-win situation. I would be unhappy if I stayed where I was, yet I'd be unhappy if I didn't have my pets. It was an awful dilemma to be in. I felt guilt right to my core.

When I got the animals I thought I was going to be able to provide them with a home for life. I had never imagined that I would have had to change my life to the degree where I would be without them. I really thought I was doing the right thing when I gave them a home. I felt like a terrible pet owner, like I should never have taken them in. I didn't deserve them. How could I even think about re-homing them?! I had a duty to them. 

On the flip side. I had a duty to myself. I had to make changes to my life and give myself opportunities. 

It was an awful time. I felt like the worse person in the world. These pets that had given me so much happiness and laughter and love, and there I was betraying them, but slowly and surely I found them all a new home. 

Well, actually, one of the cats, the youngest one, got run over. His name was Marble and he was such a sweet little thing. He looked like a female cat. 

Kim went to a new home with a family and was the only cat there. She had been getting stressed by the other 2 males cats, so at least she was better off having a house to herself. I got a few phone updates from her new family. 

Thank goodness my best friend stepped in and took Toto and Jess. That was such a relief! I got updates and photos from their new home in Lincoln. Jess has since passed away but Toto is still going. I think he must be 16 by now!

Then there was Honey. I found a springer spaniel rescue centre. Coincidentally in Lincoln. The lady who ran it said that she had a couple looking for a female springer. The day I took Honey to Lincoln and said goodbye was heart breaking. Honey had no idea of course and just saw all the travelling as a big adventure. 

She went into her pen at the rescue centre as good as gold. I gave her her chewed up favourite teddy - you can see it in the background in the photo at the top - and said my final farewell to her. The next day the her potential new owners visited with their spring spaniel and he stayed the night with Honey and they got on. Then Honey went for a sleep over at their house, and it all went well. The couple had a little boy too. Soon Honey was in her new home and she settled in really well. She was living in the country side and would have had more stimulation in the house with the other dog and the little boy than she would have done with me, so I guess it all worked out for the best. 

I moved to Moseley and I swore I would never get another pet. I did though. A little harvest mouse. He lived for two years and broke my heart when he died. Once again, I've said never again! Besides I want to move house. I've been in this flat for 8 years and that's the longest I've ever stayed in one home - 6 years is usually the max. And I want to travel. Without pets I am free to do that. 

I've been feeling a bit humdrum this week, which is very unusual for me. I dare the say the constant rain of the British summer is having some affect. Dreaming of Honey last night made me remember a promise I made after I re-homed my pets and moved house; if I was going to give up my animals then I must make it for a worth while reason and not let it be for nothing. 

You may be thinking that Honey was 'just a dog'. I get that. Though she wasn't 'just a dog' to me. 

I searched for about 30 minutes tonight to find a certain photo of Honey I thought I had in a frame somewhere. This is what I found. 

I've taken the photo out and put it somewhere safe, but it's in such a safe place I can't find it! The photo is of Honey on a hot summer day just after she threw herself into a lake and was having the time of her life. 

Honey could somehow have fun every moment she was awake. I could learn a thing or two from her, even all these years later! 

Say Hi on twitter: @karenstrunks

New and improved karenstrunks.com

I hope you will think so too!

This has been a work in progress since the beginning of this year.

To back track a little, and to bring you up to speed karenstrunks.com was initially just for my photography business when I started that in 2008. A lot of things have developed since then as my interest and work in social media has grown, and I have really wanted to update my online profile to reflect everything I'm involved in.

Without further ado, may I introduce you to my new portfolio site!

There are still a few tweaks I want to make, but it's an improvement on what was there before I think. It was ok, very simple but it was rather a static web page and I don't do static very well! ;)

My old website on karenstrunks.com

I have moved my photography website over to karenstrunksphotography.com. What I am going to use karenstrunks.com for is a 'hub' for all my online activity; an at-a-glance picture of what I'm doing and where!

I'll still be blogging here (there and everywhere!), but I just really felt the need to have one place that reflected my work.

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Creative Shift: How to network (without the cheese)

Dean Melbourne and Helga Henry from Creative Shift

So, you think you know how to network?

I thought I did. I'm hardly a wall flower, and I like meeting new people. After all, I run the Birmingham Social Media Cafe, a networking event for people who love to use social media, whether that's for work or play. I meet and greet, and make introductions. I try and make sure everyone is having a good time - if it isn't fun you are not going to be at your best after all! I try and speak to everyone who attends and of course I collect and give out my fair share of business cards. However, after attending Creative Shift's Building Business Relationships aka How To Network course yesterday, it seems I am merely scratching the surface of networking!

Yesterday I attended a half day course run by Creative Shift's (formerly Fierce Earth) Helga Henry and Dean Melbourne. There were around a dozen other attendees wanting to know the same thing: How can I improve on my networking skills?


The course promised...

· You have a clear understanding of the value of genuine peer-to-peer business relationships and are confident enough to attend events and functions, get into conversations and swap cards 

· You understand how events and meetings fit into the overall process of business development (and so have a clear idea of why you are there and what you are trying to achieve) 

· You have a number of tools and techniques for entering into a conversation, moving a conversation on and eliciting useful and engaging conversation with those you meet. 

· You correctly put more emphasis on cultivating relationships beyond the initial meeting than just meeting lots of new people 

· You know where you are with a particular developing contact, and know what the next step will be in the process.

The course delivered all that and more. I learnt so much and I now have my own action plan on what I am going to do differently when it comes to networking and just as importantly, what I am going to do after the event! I think it's safe to say everyone there got a lot out of the day.

Last year I went on a 5 day residential course held by Helga and Dean via what was then Fierce Earth. I can't believe I only wrote a brief paragraph about it in a blog post in December. What I learnt on that course still serves me well and I use the skills and knowledge on a day to day basis, and I know I will use what I learnt yesterday every day too. Creative Shift don't do 'dry and corporate' courses and their delivery will keep you hooked and is so worth the investment.

Luckily Creative Shift will be running the Building Better Business Relationship course again, so keep an eye on their website and of course you can follow them on twitter too, @mycreativeshift

Many thanks Hegla, Dean and Creative Shift! :)

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Secret Cinema: The big Brave New Ventures reveal!

The day has finally arrived and I can finally reveal the film behind my Brave New Ventures mission! Whew and yay!

A message from Brave New Ventures HQ

The missions are over, the recruits demobilised and the cat, ladies and gentleman, is out of the bag. As you may or may not have heard or experienced, the project that Brave New Ventures and Secret Cinema have been working on these past weeks was Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel Prometheus. This has been the production of a lifetime, and we would like to thank all recruits for assisting in making it what it was. We’ve created a video giving more information on our missions. Enjoy

I won't keep you in suspense a moment longer! Can't see the video? Check it out here



Yes, the Brave New Ventures film was........ Ridley Scott's Prometheus!!

The above video looks amazing, and let me tell you it was every bit as exciting and dynamic at the event itself.

I think it's safe to put up a few of my photos, but the one of me in a boiler suit will NEVER see the light of day!

Getting ready for the event. I thought I might have got away with this outfit and not be made to wear a boiler suit! No luck :D

The cocktail makers where BNV robots

Testing Samples from Outside

Currency Exchange

Waiting to embark on our mission

Brave New Ventures HQ

BNV worker 

I just had to stop mid writing and watch the video again!

I have never been so engaged and interested in a trip to the cinema.

It started back in May when I was recruited to become a Chief Information Officer for Brave New Ventures.  But it wasn't just some email saying 'You've been recruited' and 'turn up on such and such a date'. There was intrigue, there was correspondence, there were missions to complete before full recruitment. Friends and followers were asking me what it was all about and I genuinely had no idea. Of course I was curious enough to just go with the flow, and to take part even though I wasn't sure what I was letting myself in for!

Brave New Cinema had ALL the basis covered in terms of communication and participation. They used social media, they gathered a community; We were on a mission, though we didn't know what mission! We were in it together. Whatever 'it' was!

They created a buzz. Not just online, but offline as well. They hit the streets and amazingly gathered over 400 recruits in the heart of London.



And in the black of night, brave souls took part in some secret data analysis.

 

We were told what clothes to wear, we were told about items we must bring. We were running about doing as we were told, still without a clue as to why!

This was a far cry from just checking into a cinema on Foursquare. In fact, we didn't even know our final destination until about 10 minutes before hand. By then I think it's safe to say, we were all far too engrossed in events to even think about Foursquare!

This was a perfectly masterminded exercise in mass participation and was so carefully crafted and orchestrated and took in practically every medium of communication. You really felt like you part of a bigger collaboration.

Even BEFORE the point of buying a ticket, people had been engaged and 'recruited'. Participants were taking a leap of faith as they didn't know what they were actually buying a ticket for exactly. In fact, they didn't buy a ticket, they 'invested' in Brave New Ventures and were playing a part in 'securing the future'.

By employing all these methods, how far did the word spread about BNV and Secret Cinema? Not only did the press pick up on it, which is no surprise, but the amount of discussion and guess work that was happening on and offline would have been monumental!

This was never going to be a case of selling seats in a cinema. It was about creating something memorable, (I'm still talking about it now!), interactive, social, virtual, offline and collaborative.

I know that going to my local cinema will never be the same again.

Thank you SECRET CINEMA!

Say hello on twitter: @karenstrunks :)

Amazing Month Of May

A May Zing!

Back in March, when I was reviewing my 2012 goals, I blogged about how I was going to make the month of May a month for me.

And that is exactly what I did. I made no plans. None. I blocked the days out in my google calendar with a firm NO, just in case I was tempted to start filling up the blanks in my diary, or start taking on requests for my time.

I booked the first week of the month off work, and for the rest of the month my only commitment was to my work at talk about local.

Let me tell you, this was one of the best things I've done!

I can't believe how well my plan to not plan worked out!

For the last few years I have kept a very tight reign on my schedule, work, how I spend my time, where I spend it, with who. My diary is normally full for a couple of months in advance. I've made more time for work and projects and self development than I have friends, chilling out and 'going with the flow'.

I had nothing planned for May and yet so much happened!

Actually, nothing much happened in the first week lol. I just chilled, pottered, watched films, read..... that thing called Relaxing.

But after that, things started to seemingly fall right into place. A random encounter gave me the opportunity to stay in London for 10 days. Why not?! As long as I'm online I can do my work.

Getting ready to set off on my London Break! 10 days working/living in the Big Smoke. Quite excited!
— karenstrunks (@karenstrunks) May 17, 2012

I was determined to make the most of every minute.

I went to the Tuttle Club, which inspired the Birmingham Social Media Cafe

I was invited to meet the Rabbits in their warren in South Kensington

Lovely to meet up with the Rabbits! This is Zoe & me & a singing moose who has lost his voice :) [pic]: 4sq.com/JBKSnu
— karenstrunks (@karenstrunks) May 18, 2012

The Rabbits introduced me to Socialcam and I made my first video..



I checked out the Natural History Museum

And I met up with one of my oldest friends (25 years I've known him, and I deserve a medal!). We went to  the British Museum, and then checked out Soho and tons of shops.

 

I met up with David Mellor and had wonderful cocktails at the fabulous Paramount Soho. It's my new favourite cocktail place. Make sure you book yourself in, even if it's just for cocktails. The stunning views over London from the 38th floor are worth it. It was then I had my first 'NYC' feeling! Something, I've been craving for such a long time!

Thank you for the copy of your book David! 

And then THIS happened....

Well aint it a small world! Reuniting with very dear friends in London this week :) #ksldn
— karenstrunks (@karenstrunks) May 22, 2012

I dont normally give credit to luck/fate/good timing, but today has been one of those days when I might have to give them tiny bit of credit
— karenstrunks (@karenstrunks) May 22, 2012

A Facebook conversation with my best friend from school in Ireland. We were the bestest of friends from about 9-13. We had so much fun back then and all we did was laugh and laugh....

Friend: Hey, are you in London? If so, how long for? Would love to see you!


Me: Yes!  That would be ace. I'll message you my number :)


Friend: Hey, brilliant. I will call you tomorrow. Maybe Wednesday evening? Where are you staying?


Me: Great! Tomorrow eve would be good. I'm in Stoke Newington


Friend: You are joking??? That's where I live. Xxxxx Road.


Me: No wayyyyy! I'm staying on that road!!

We were literally 2 mins away from each other on the same street! I couldn't believe it!!

If I hadn't kept the month of May clear I wouldn't have had the chance to stay in London. If I hadn't stayed in London, I wouldn't have been re-united with my best friend, who was living on the same street as me!

We met up the next day and as soon as we met we were laughing and laughing just like we used to. And it just so happened that she was having a family party the following weekend (last weekend) and her Mum and Dad were coming over from Ireland. Her parents are ace her Dad used to teach English in our school.I couldn't miss the chance to see her parents and the rest of her family and so I went back to London last weekend and had a jolly Jubilee time! I storify'd my Jubilee Weekend adventures.

And it just so happened that I got an invitation for the Brave New Ventures event for the same weekend, so that fitted in really well and I was able to go to that and it was amazing!

I had an awesome time in London. Here's a few other pics and things from my time there...

So all this non-planning and just allowing 'life' to happen was really, (much to my surprise), rewarding!

What's that saying? Life is what happens when you stop making plans? It's certainly felt this way.

I think this is a great point in the year to have a think about the rest of 2012.

Because I didn't get a place on the Clore Fellowship Programme, I have the rest of the year quite clear. (I kept my diary clear just in case I got a place).

I've had a good taste of London and I LOVE IT! It's given me the Big City Fix that I have been craving since NYC. It's obviously not New York City, but it has the potential to meet a lot of my needs, and at least it's closer and more achievable than New York. Not that I am letting go of my NYC goal by any means, but London could be a good step in the meantime.

It's actually been great to have FREE TIME! I've not let myself have any, or at least a good chunk of it, for a few years and I had really forgotten what it was like. I've tried to keep Sundays as Me-Days, but other than that I've kept myself so busy. May has given me the chance to just enjoy things at a different pace and join in with life as it happens instead of trying to control every minute of every day. It's been quite liberating, and perhaps there is room for me to go with the flow a bit more....

So, thank you May! And thank you to everyone who made it awesome! 

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I am not a Clore Fellow

In February I decided that I would apply for a place on the Clore Leadership Programme.

What is the Clore Leadership Programme?

From their website:

The Clore Leadership Programme is an initiative of the Clore Duffield Foundation which aims to strengthen leadership across a wide range of cultural activities. 

This includes the visual and performing arts, film, heritage, museums, libraries and archives, creative industries and cultural policy and administration.

I had been watching the Clore space for a few years and deemed myself ready to apply for one of the 25 places using the 4am Project and my experience as the basis of my application. I thought there was a very slim chance that I would secure a place, and that it was worth a shot even with the knowledge that the competition would be fierce. If you never try, you'll never know!

As the title of this blog post has already revealed, I didn't get a place. When I received the letter in late April, it didn't come as a surprise, but I was glad to know their decision one way or another so I could make plans for the rest of this year and next. I had to keep my diary clear on the small chance I would be accepted on the course; as the Leadership Programme is quite a commitment time-wise, would have taken up some of the latter part of this year and the first 6/7 months next year.

Even though I didn't get a place, going through the application process was a worth while endeavour! There were multiple parts to the application, and it really gave me a chance to review where I am, what I am doing, what I have achieved, what I contribute in cultural terms and where it all fits in together.

There were quite a few questions to answer, such as 'Why apply now? Why do you want to lead? Give an example of when you demonstrated leadership..'.

As I mentioned, the main basis of my application was the 4am project and of course, my experience.

If you haven't heard of it, the 4am Project is a ground-breaking, creative, collaborative arts project based around photography, and it's a project where I've demonstrated my leadership qualities by using my vision and planning to engage a diverse global audience.

To date the Project has engaged thousands of people in over 50 countries and has amassed over 6500 digital images in its archive.

It's a thought-provoking project which has inspired and challenged participants, from the absolute beginner in photography to experienced photographers. Motivating people around the world to get out of their beds at 4am is no mean feat!

Photo by Pedro Pinheiro

I think the project is a platform for people to improve on their photography skills and their artistic potential as it asks them to do something out of the ordinary. It challenges people’s concept of photography and directs them to an exciting and positive experience which leads to them being able to show their art to the world, inspiring them to continue their creativity.

Photo by Steve Anderson

Being the figure-head and driving force of the Project I do my best to lead by example and have shown my ability to inspire others into taking action and participating in an exciting art-form. I've used my creative drive and ambition for the project to reached a wide and diverse, actively involved audience.

In my application wrote about how the 4am Project has increased access to the visual arts by engaging individuals, who have enjoyed the medium of photography as an art form and how in turn this has developed participants personal and professional growth in the photography medium.

I also mentioned how the project contributes economically to education in the arts sector; students of photography have used the Project as part of their course work and I offer my insight as a leader in the photography field by sharing my knowledge and speaking to students and photography groups. Also 4am Project website itself provides a source of inspiration and reference and I hope the project will leave a legacy for future artistic practice.

Photo by John Garghan

I run the 4am Project in an environment of economic difficulty through my sheer grit and optimism. In this climate of financial difficulty, I think that now is an especially crucial time to nurture, engage and encourage people to involve themselves in creative art forms.

I nourish and replenish the Project by encouraging people to develop their skills and interests in the art and photography world, and I hoped that the Clore Programme would help empower me in creating a sustainable model for leadership in the arts sector. That's not to say I can't do that on my own, but sometimes it's nice to get some help and support. It's an ambitious project, but where there is a will, there is a way!

Photo by Jaubele1

One of the things that I love about the project (although of course I am biased!) is that it's inclusivity means that anyone can take part. I haven't put any restrictions on age, location, gender, or photography ability.

It's had an inspiring effect on participants, observers and established artists and has been very favourably reviewed by the media.

Photo by Hrish Thota

The 4am Project inspires, affects and challenges; from people experiencing an often unseen time of day, to taking part in a community collaboration, to challenging participants to learn more about photography. It's a unique photographic collaboration and offers great potential to engage people in photography and in turn supports people to develop their skills and ambitions.

I hoped that a place on the Clore Leadership Programme would enable me to forge and establish new connections and skills, which would support my leadership opportunities and in turn, support others better and empower them. I was ready for the challenges that the programme would bring!

A place on the programme would have been amazing and given a me a boost in terms of self development. However, it's also not the end of the world that I didn't get a place. I'm used to forging ahead with my own learning and personal development and making and creating my own opportunities. Going through the Clore application was worth it as it made me stop and properly review what I'm doing now, what I want to do and where I want to be and I'm very glad I took a chance and applied!

A huge thank you to Helga Henry, Will Perrin, my best friend and my ace mum who gave me their help, support and advice during the Clore application! :)

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Brave New Ventures: Mission Report

You may already know that recently I was recruited by Brave New Ventures as Chief Information Officer.

The date of Monday 4th June had been set as the date for me to complete my secret mission for BNV.

In order to be fully prepared for whatever tasks may be waiting I arrived in London a couple of days earlier, under the guise of a visitor for the Jubilee....

 

My stealth paid off and I went by undiscovered as a BNV agent as I took in the sights and sounds of London.

The day of my mission had finally arrived! I could barely sleep for excitement the night before.

I unpacked my uniform...

I don't normally wear t-shirts, so did my best to glam it up a little! 

I was allowed to bring an assistant with me.

On tonight's @Bravenewventure mission I am being ably assisted by @joannageary. I only have the best on my team! #bravenewventures :)
— karenstrunks (@karenstrunks) June 4, 2012

Our rendezvous point was by the statue of the engineer at Euston station. Gathered en masse were fellow recruits ready for their BNV mission, many of who were dressed in boiler suits and boots. They looked hard core! I began to wonder if my skirt, t-shirt and bling combo would cut it!  

We were led by BNV staff to the Head Quarters where there was a lot of serious activity going on.

My worst fears soon immediately materialise when I was handed A BOILER SUIT TO PUT ON!! (can you imagine?!) There is photographic evidence of this, but it will never see the light of day, will it Joanna?! 

Everyone complied with the orders and instructions that were being given by BNV staff. We were dressed how they wanted us dressed, tagged with wrist bands, and queueing in an ordering manner. 

We were given the opportunity to exchange our currency so that we could make purchases when we were through to the other side. 

And what is the other side like?!

Like nothing you will have experienced before! 

London felt like a million miles away. 

What you will find is a multi-storied 190,000 square foot area that is yours to explore! You will discover something new at every turn.

The BNV staff will make sure you are kept busy too. Expect to be given tasks to complete, and missions to execute. Remember why you are there...it is your mission to secure the future!

Well, I hope that has answered your questions and enlightened you about Brave New Ventures

What do you mean, no?! 

Okay, let me snap out of character! *snap* 

I'll try and fill you in, but I will have to leave some details for you to find out for yourself...

Brave New Ventures is a fictional company of Secret Cinema, which is part of Future Cinema  (remember I went to see Bugsy Malone with Future Cinema?)

It was easy to forget during my mission that we were there to see a film. The set that has been created is not only huge, it's immersive. You will spend a good couple of hours getting involved in the film that you are going to watch later! 

What film?! I'll pretend you didn't ask me that. It's a secret, remember!

But by the time you settle down and watch the movie you will have met all the characters, and will have lived through what some of them live through in the film.

Can you tell us any more?! 

Yes. Go, go, go!! You really won't have had a cinema experience like this! This is one of Secret Cinema's biggest productions yet, and it won't disappoint. The event lasts about 4.5-5 hours. This isn't just watching a film, this is playing a role in the film, on an amazing set, with actors and other BNV 'employees', all working together on the same mission! 

You can invest in mission tickets at £35

A few tips....

• There are several bars there, and they serve lovely cocktails as well a spirits, cider and beer 
• Wear flat shoes
• Don't wear too many layers - you will be too warm. 
• You can buy a meal there if you are hungry, and if you are both hungry and feeling extravagant you can got to the Secret Restaurant with food from top chefs and flowing champagne. 

A big Thank You to Secret Cinema for a night to remember! 

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